New to Jeeps

[readc87]

Hello!

Bought my first Jeep yesterday. 2001 Wrangler 2D Sport automatic 4x4. It only has 11,600 miles on it. Seems to be pretty mint condition for being 24 years old. I don't really know what to do now. I am scared to do anything since it is stock. I bought it to drive to work and ride around the beach house and to surf spots. Work is only a couple miles, so short daily commute and is fun to drive. Seems like everything works on it. Had the dealer charge the freon and the AC works like a champ. With it being so low mileage and its condition I am like scared to drive it lol. I did buy some seat covers and cover for the whole vehicle to try and keep it in the best condition I can, but like my buddy said, Jeeps are meant to be driven! Any comments or advice is welcome! Thanks for having me and stoked to finally own one!

 

[The4bangertj]

Super clean! I would drill a 5/16 to a 1/2inch hole just inward of the lower control arm (see you last pic has a shot of the bottom of the frame where I would do it). With driving on the beach I would spray the salt spray off every so often and wouldn’t want the inside of the frame to hold it.

 

[fizzlebottom]

Looks like an absolute gem. Here's my advice:

• Change the fluids on schedule
• Drive it and enjoy it. Do not let it sit and gather dust. Do not be afraid to use it like it was meant to be used.
• When issues pop up, don't panic. Come here, ask the experts, and take a breath.

That's it. Just drive it dude. You've got a good TJ on your hands.

 

[readc87]

Super clean! I would drill a 5/16 to a 1/2inch hole just inward of the lower control arm (see you last pic has a shot of the bottom of the frame where I would do it). With driving on the beach I would spray the salt spray off every so often and wouldn’t want the inside of the frame to hold it.

My buddy advised this same thing. I will do that. Thanks!

 

[readc87]

Looks like an absolute gem. Here's my advice:

• Change the fluids on schedule
• Drive it and enjoy it. Do not let it sit and gather dust. Do not be afraid to use it like it was meant to be used.
• When issues pop up, don't panic. Come here, ask the experts, and take a breath.

That's it. Just drive it dude. You've got a good TJ on your hands.

Dude thanks! What schedule do you recommend?

 

[Obi-Wan]

 

[Zorba]

Change all fluids, hoses and belts. Make sure the tires aren't out of date and/or rotten. Drill the drain holes, its best if one is also drilled in the very back - bumper needs to be removed to do so. Flush the frame out afterwards, let dry then PRIME AND PAINT the holes.

Here is a picture of said drain hole - another forum member did this one which was MUCH cleaner than the hack job I did. He did, however, recommend drilling this one a bit more outboard than he did as he was hitting internal nut that is part of the bottom hole where the bumper bolts on.

 

[macleanflood]

Here's what happens to a 2000 Sarhara when you don't watch rust....

-Mac

 

[Chippy]

Super clean! I would drill a 5/16 to a 1/2inch hole just inward of the lower control arm (see you last pic has a shot of the bottom of the frame where I would do it). With driving on the beach I would spray the salt spray off every so often and wouldn’t want the inside of the frame to hold it.

Not OP, but this is good advice. I’m a new Jeep owner as well and I do beach trips often in mine. I’ll drill that hole and plan on spraying down the frame often after beach trips

 

[TheBoogieman]

Depending on what you paid for it, 11,600 miles on a 24 year old Jeep can be a bad thing. Good luck! I prefer my Jeeps as a DD.

 

[fizzlebottom]

Dude thanks! What schedule do you recommend?

Go get your Service Manual here: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

A copy specifically for 2001 isn't listed, so you can likely just use the '99 manual. The maintenance schedules for various years aren't all too different, but there are some things that might be different such as transmission fluid or ignition bits.

In that manual you'll find a section titled something like Lubrication and Maintenance Schedule. Just follow that, although I think the general consensus is that 3k miles / 3 months for oil could be extended to 5k/6months if you so choose.

 

[readc87]

Depending on what you paid for it, 11,600 miles on a 24 year old Jeep can be a bad thing. Good luck! I prefer my Jeeps as a DD.

I can see that. But the dude who owned it drove it every Sunday to church so it was getting used weekly, just not very far. Not sure what else I would be concerned about. It went to the shop and they checked all fluids and did an oil change said everything was in top shape.

 

[L J]

Hello!

Bought my first Jeep yesterday. 2001 Wrangler 2D Sport automatic 4x4.

welcome and congrats

Any comments or advice is welcome!

I see that you are in Virginia. If you happen to run across this guy and he tries to offer you a duck, drive off immediately!

 

[TJMexico]

Hello!

Bought my first Jeep yesterday. ... I don't really know what to do now.

You've come to a good place. I purchased my first US Jeep (owned Russian UAZ before) just over a month ago. Folks here have been very gracious and helpful, even with goofy newbie questions.

 

[Sam410]

Nice Jeep!

Super clean. this jeep is also very nicely spec'd. from the looks of it, that soft top was never opened and was part of the dual top option. Word of advice on that, dont sell the hardtop! they have shot up in price recently. I used to buy/sell them around 300-400 bucks around 5-6 years ago... now I see them for 1100+.

crawl around underneath + inspect engine bay looking for anything rubber for cracks/deterioration. this is the downside to a 20+ vehicle that hasn't been driven much. I wouldn't sweat it too much though, just keep it in mind.

go ahead and change all the fluids (coolant, oil, trans fluid, t case oil, diff fluid, and brake fluid at a minimum). id be surprised if anything besides oil has ever been changed. You have probably the most well documented 4x4 platform as far as YouTube video tutorials not to mention a great forum!

 

[hardtailpan]

I'm not sure how much snow you get in Virginia but if they salt the roads at all like they do in Mass I'd highly recommend fluid filiming the inside and outside of the frame, floors, torque boxes, etc, around thanksgiving every year if you are going to drive it thru the winter. Rust is the #1 killer of these suckers.

 

[readc87]

Welp didn’t take long! Front passenger side brake* is sticking. She was smoking and hot as hell on way home from work. Going to take to local shop to see what’s up. Not unexpected

 

[Zorba]

Welp didn’t take long! Front passenger side break is sticking. She was smoking and hot as hell on way home from work. Going to take to local shop to see what’s up. Not unexpected

 

[readc87]

View attachment 626599

Lol I took the red pill

 

[Rickyd]

Welp didn’t take long! Front passenger side brake* is sticking. She was smoking and hot as hell on way home from work. Going to take to local shop to see what’s up. Not unexpected

What color is the brake fluid? It absorbs moisture over time and can make your calipers and wheel cylinders stick. That will smoke the brakes for sure.

It's a good idea to flush it once every year or two